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Joy is the precursor to the truest refreshment.

We have come to the conclusion of this 7 Steps to Creative Clarity Course!! I’m so pleased you decided to join me on this creative journey, and I trust as you have played and journaled through each step, you have made some valuable discoveries that have brought Clarity to your Creative Path and Practice.

My wish for you is that you will find your most authentic Creative Path, building on the foundation of knowledge, discovery, understanding and appreciation for Who YOU Are right now.

Whether it’s honoring your preferences in how you creatively express yourself, or learning new things about why you do the things you do creatively, or maybe you learned a new valuable skill by connecting with another like-minded creative, I trust you will see your journey here as a resounding success!

There’s nothing like being in the right place at the right time with the right tools and the right creative mindset of openness, flow, and LOVE for Who YOU Are as a Creative Being and Valuable Contributor to the world’s need of what only you can provide.

Your Creative Voice, no matter how you apply it to what your heart loves, can Shine and Be Heard for the delightful essence that it carries, initiating your heart song to sing!

You are welcome to return to these Creative Clarity exercises whenever you feel the need for a boost in your Creative Path, no matter which step needs addressing and Some TLC!

And do let me know how this Creative Journey has been for you. I’d love to hear about your discoveries, which prompts or exercises were your favorites, and how this course has been instrumental in your gaining of Creative Clarity and in enhancing your Creative Practice. Your feedback is highly valued!

I wish you the very best in all of your creative endeavors. From my creative heart to yours!

The greatest and most beneficial connection is to be experienced in the heart of the soul in direct resonance with Self and Spirit. Knowing Who You Are on the inside, in your deepest part, is essential for the greatest flow and essence of Self for Creativity at its finest.

As a direct result of that inward Connection of Self and Spirit, Connection with others can begin on a firm foundation, both relationally and creatively.

We must ask ourselves, Who do we want to Join with in our Creative Path, both personally and spiritually? Who do we want to be united with in order to initiate the most beneficial relationship creatively that we can build?

Who do we want to associate with in our Creative Path and in Spirit? Who do we want to be influenced by Creatively? Who do we want to influence through our Creativity?

As we recognize our desire for deep Connection with others who enjoy the same things, follow the same principles and have similar aims in life, we can begin to see the value of our choices in the result of how those relationships impact our Creative Life.

When we find an individual who we deeply connect with, who resonates with us Creatively, the relationship will brings us JOY. We feel appreciated for what we bring to the Creative and Relational Table and we feel understood by them on a deeper level. Thus, these kinds of relationships are deeply meaningful and have a positive impact on Who We Are as Creative Souls. It can also have an impact on How We See Ourselves, giving boost to our confidence and leaving us feeling fabulous.

As we look more deeply at the essence of Connection as a Vital Step toward Creative Clarity, I have provided **Prompts and Exercises for your journaling, art journaling and doodle practices to help you discover and uncover ways to more deeply connect with Self, Spirit and with Sustaining Relationships that enhance your Creative Path.

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.

Connection with Self Journaling Prompts:ASK: How do I describe my connection with Self?

Do you feel a deep connection at the core of your being? Is there anything standing in the way? Do you see yourself as Creative?

Connection with Self List Exercise:Make a list of all the ways that you connect with your Self. This can include physical nurturing, food you eat to nourish yourself, the music you listen to, the way you talk to yourself, and how you see yourself when you look into an actual mirror.

ASK: What do I love the most about my Creative Self?

ASK: What do I see as a lack in my Creative Self?

Determine in your journal how you might reconcile the difference between the perceived positive and negative.

Letter Writing Exercise:Write a letter to your Creative Self and show appreciation for your efforts, your struggles and your desires and dreams for the Creative Future.

Mindmap Exercise:Putting SELF in the center and with a circle around it on the page, write words or phrases that come to mind in connection with Self. See what insights you can gain in this discovery process.

Connection with Spirit Prompts:ASK: How do I describe Connection with Spirit in the core of my being?

What does your spiritual vibe look like? What does it feel like? Describe in detail what you see, feel, hear, and know in your spirit Creatively?

What music do you enjoy listening to that opens you up to Spirit in your Creative Place? Make a list of songs that resonate with you most deeply in your spirit. Choose one and record the lyrics in your journal.

Mind Map Exercise:Create a mind map of your favorite lyric line to gain insight into its deepest meaning for you right now.

ASK: What is my religious affiliation and how has it impacted my Creative Path?

Has your religious affiliation had a negative or positive effect on your Creative Flow?

Letter Writing Exercise:Write a letter to the Universe for the Spiritual Path you want to build for your Creative Practice.

Connection with Sustaining Relationships Prompts:List Making Exercise:Make a list of 10 people who you resonate most deeply with. Think “Believing Mirror” (See Julia Cameron’s Vein of Gold), someone who appreciates you for Who You Are and Encourages your Creative flow and path in life. This person sees your potential, recognizes your contribution, sees your talents and gifts, and loves you for being YOU.

Take a name from that list and contact that person and let them know what an impact they have had on your Creative Life and how much you appreciate their support.

Take another name from the list and connect with them and make plans to spend time with them to honor their contribution in your Creative Life.

List Making Exercise:Record in your journal activities you would like to engage in with a person on your list. This list should reflect your past experience with this person or something you have desired to do that is new to your relationship. Approach them with this idea and why it would be meaningful to you and your friendship. See what New Thing will hit the spot for both of you!

The purpose of Connection with Others is to appreciate one another and to enjoy what each contributes toward our Creative Lives as well as enhancing our every day flow. FUN is KEY!

Mind Map Exercise:Take a name from your list and put it in the center of your page and write the different things that come to mind in association with this person. See what insight you can gain from your relationship that you may not have realized before. (Remember, what you see in another person can be a reflection of yourself!)

ASK: What draws me to a person creatively? Is it the person’s vibe? Their Values? Their persona? Their skills? ​

Your answers can help you recognize where and how you want to grow in your Creative Path.​

Art Journal Prompt: Create a page or spread in your journal that showcases your connection with your Self by emphasizing through carefully chosen colors and words that show how you appreciate yourself on the deepest level.

You can also choose images that show how you connect with yourself most deeply and how your relationship with others has impacted your creative life. You can include pictures from a local event you attended or of time together with someone in your creative life.

You can also create a spread to honor your Connection with Spirit showing its deepest meaning for you, whether it’s through your church affiliation, your time in meditation/prayer or simply showing unity with the Universal Energy that flows through you in your creative expression.

Make this a special spread that really shows what is most meaningful to you right now. This Honors your Creative Path up to this point and shows what you may dream of in the future.

Doodle Prompt:Create a doodle with the name of a dear friend and give it to them as a gift! Create a doodle with your own name and using fun fonts, write the different things you love about yourself, making a poster of sorts you can frame and hang on the wall or put in a place where you will see it every day. Create a doodle that emphasizes your religious affiliation or how you see your Connection with Spirit. Make this a special design that helps honor your spiritual and creative path. Place it where you spend your time in meditation and prayer. If you have an altar of sorts, that is a good place.

As we summarize our Connection with Self, Spirit and Sustaining Relationships with Others, I would like to share of word of encouragement and insight:​​When we establish a firm foundation of Connecting with the deepest part of ourselves, we can feel more at ease, naturally creating meaningful bonds with others who lift us up and appreciate us for Who We Are, and enhancing our deepest, most profound Connection with Spirit which has no bounds and will brings us to the most expansive essence of unity with our Purpose in the Universe.

ALIGNMENT is so KEY to the JOY of Creativity that it cannot be overstated.

It could be said that ALIGNMENT is a proper positioning in relation to your Creative Heart! Wow.

Don’t we all want to be positioned for the best in our Creative Flow? Yes?

When I am fully aligned, I feel Peaceful, I feel Powerful, I feel JOY, I feel Flow. Because I am experiencing fully Who I Am as an artist, as a creative, as an autonomous individual who has a unique voice, point of view and gifts to offer the world.

There’s a direct sense of deep satisfaction, of positive energy, of strength when I am fully aligned. Whether it’s a Job Well Done or simply sitting in peace with my aligned Self. And that’s the way it is supposed to be…the way the Universe intended us to be.

My goal with ALIGNMENT as a step in the 7 Steps to Creative Clarity is to give you space to deeply consider what it means to you, to discover the best path toward alignment to initiate positive change in your creative expression that will ultimately lead to personal empowerment.

Shall we begin with **Prompts and Exercises for your journaling, art journaling and doodle practice and dive deep into your most aligned place possible!

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.

“Out of Alignment” Journaling Exercise:Sometimes the best way to tell if you’re aligned is to note when you’re misaligned, which can often feel like agitation, irritation, fatigue, overwhelm.

Throughout your day, take note of when you may feel this way and just write down what your trigger points were. This may give you a clue into what pulls you OUT of alignment, which is very important to recognize so you know when you need to get back INTO alignment.

“Knowing Who You Are” Journaling Exercise:Not knowing Who You Are is one of the first symptoms of MisAlignment. The more you get to know yourself, paying close attention to Moments of Peace and Contentment and what got you to that place, the easier it is to maintain alignment.

Throughout your day, take note of when you feel this way and jot down what triggered these positive feelings of alignment. This will give you a clue as to what keeps you aligned so you can STAY aligned, which is exactly where you want to be!

“Track Record” Journaling Exercise: Keep a written list of your activities and your aligned feelings associated with that activity. Keep a written list of your activities and your misaligned feelings associated with that activity and why they pull you out of alignment.

Journaling Detail Exercise: Describe in detail your most recent aligned moment. What small steps did you take that brought you to this place? What emotions and feelings came up for you during this moment?

ASK: What does this aligned place and moment remind me of from my past experiences?

Now take one that really has deep meaning for you right now and do a mind map using that activity in the center circle and record words or phrases that come to mind. This will give you insight into the essence of alignment and what it looks like for you, giving you a greater awareness of what works for you so you can make more time for such activities. ​

Art Journaling Prompt:Using the word Alignment or Aligned as a prompt, create a page or spread that honors a recent aligned activity that you so thoroughly enjoyed, you simply can’t wait to get back to it again. Use cheering and confident colors to express your deepest feelings of alignment. Record in fun fonts the emotions you felt during this experience and why it was so meaningful to you. You may want to include images of yourself doing the activity or ones you find that show what you loved most about it.

Doodle Prompt:Using the word, Alignment or Aligned, create a doodle using your favorite doodling implement. You can create a doodle that literally aligns with your papers edge or along a drawing of your favorite activity. Have FUN with this one, really paying close attention to the way the letters move and shift with the edge of what you have drawn.

As we summarize the step of ALIGNMENT in the 7 Steps to Creative Clarity, I would like to share with you a word of encouragement and insight into the essence of Alignment and what it can mean for you:

Alignment is a place of Peace, that you are where you need to be in a settled contentment that brings Rest. It’s where Synchronizations occur, where dreams are manifested, where you and the Universal Energy are unified. It’s that place of “Knowing” that cannot be denied. ​

Alignment is where you feel most naturally Powerful in your own Essence and in Your Purpose, in fulfilling your destiny in this Universe at this moment in history.

I simply LOVE this step of Experimentation. You know why? Because we can get crazy, messy, and fun with it—with NO GUILT. Doesn’t that sound good?

You see, experimentation is really like a test (this is only a test) of our Creative Impetus to see what really works for us…in ways we’ve never tried before. Or maybe it’s a new twist on something we already love. ​

But it’s so much fun to find out what happens as we experiment! You never know when you’ll discover something that works so well, you’ll wonder why you never tried it before up until now. And that’s exactly where you want to be.

This is were Gold is found in our Creative Practice. Messy play gone wild! Or if you prefer a more tame approach, just try something small that doesn’t feel overly risky, just a dipping in of the toe…

Are you ready? Let’s GO!

Below you will find **prompts and exercises for your journaling, art journaling and doodle practices that will help initiate some fun doing. EnJOY and give yourself permission to get messy!

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.

Journaling Stream of Consciousness: Here is a list of phrases. Write them down in your journal. One at a time, respond with whatever comes to mind, what you associate with each one. How does it make you feel? (Positive/negative?)

Take one of your reactions and do a mind map, putting the word in a circle in the middle of the page and then write words or phrases that you associate with it. See what kind of insight you can glean from this exercise in connection with how you felt about those above phrases. This may give you a clue into any obstacles you may face in wanting to experiment and perhaps some ideas to break through that resistance.

It’s all about having FUN. What does that mean to you?

ASK: Do I Feel Stuck in a RUT?

If the answer is YES, then it’s time to experiment! If no, you can also look at what you are currently doing and see what you can do to freshen things up. Sometimes just a small change of order or technique can get you going toward new opportunities and experiences.

Journaling LIST: Write a list of NEW THINGS you would like to try that you are currently drawn to. Remember, there’s no pressure or obligation with this list. Just ideas.

ASK: What is Inspiring me right now?

Make note of any leads that come to mind.

Here are a few “NEW” ideas you may want to try:

recipe wardrobe pickmelodyfood path to walkstore to shop atcooking techniquecontext of doing something you always dodance moveyoga positiondirection to take for work commuteapproach to a taskcolor for your art palette color to decorate your roomsheets for your bedcolor for lipstick, nail polish, house paint, socks…(the sky is the limit!)

Art Journaling Prompt:Use a page or spread in your journal and honor the one new idea you have determined you want to try with your EXPERIMENTATION Step to Creative Clarity. Take fun notes on what plans you want to implement to make it happen. You can use the word Experimentation or Experiment as your focal word, and perhaps collage images of that activity on the page.

Doodle Prompt:Use Experiment as your word prompt and just go crazy with marks on the page! Try some new technique or color or different pen that will help liven things up. Perhaps work with colors together you’ve never used before and see what you like and even what you don’t like. Take notes on why you liked it or didn’t like it.

Hint: Always remember not to have any EXPECTATION for the result when you EXPERIMENT. No need to judge yourself. Just have FUN.

Do you ever say to yourself, “I’ve always wanted to try that.”? Do you ever wonder if something would work or what something would be like if you went with it?

Well, NOW is the PERFECT TIME to try!! ​

As we summarize the Step of Experimentation ​in the 7 Steps to Creative Clarity, I would like to share a word of encouragment and insight toward the benefits of Experimentation:

There are no Mistakes with Experimentation, no “error” per se. It’s all about seeing what happens, experiencing the creative process, feeling a different energy and seeing what works for you. Remember to be patient with yourself. New ideas, new approaches, new thought processes can all feel a bit intimidating. Break them down into do-able possibilities. The Smallest Shift can do wonders toward initiating a wonderful creative world you have yet to discover.

I love following my Curiosity! I never know when I’ll discover something that brings me pure JOY. Curiosity is the desire to find out and know things, and sometimes it’s because our interest concerns something rare or unusual.

And sometimes we’re just eager to learn something new. It helps us to grow, discover, uncover and throw light on a subject that is of interest to us.

Never ignore your cravings of curiosity when it comes to your creative essence and purpose. It’s important to be open and ready for new things. It helps to keep your creativity fresh and your creative flow healthy.

Below I have offered some **prompts and exercises for your Journaling, Art Journaling and Doodle Practice and a summary below to offer you some ways to tap into your Curiosity to help give you clarity on your Creative Journey.

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.

Journaling Prompts:

ASK: What sparks my Curiosity immediately?

ASK: What have I been Curious about in the last week? the last month? the last year?

Have you pursued this subject in any tangible way? Does it excite you? Does it feel forbidden? Do you feel like you need permission to pursue it?

If you have engaged with this subject of your Curiosity, did it surprise you? Were you disappointed or thrilled by the discovery?

Have you felt resonance with the subject of your Curiosity? What are its qualities? ​​Pay close attention to any associative memories that may be triggered, and it may show you something in your past that you can bring back to your present that will bring you more JOY.

Journaling LIST/Mind Map Exercise:Write a list of 10 Things you’ve been curious about. (You can add more than 10 if you desire.) Anything goes here. Nothing should be dismissed, even if it feels silly or childish. Have FUN with this list. Now Choose your TOP 3 Favorites from the list. Do a MIND MAP of your top favorite from the three. Put the subject in the middle of your page and put a circle around it. Now write words or phrases or whatever comes to mind in whatever form and put it around the circle. Don't censor yourself. Just let it free flow. This is a very intuitive exercise and you may be surprised with the connections that show up and give you insight into your Curiosity. Take notes on anything you find important or just plain fun and then make plans to follow up with action.

ASK: What subject have I put on the back burner that I would really like to dive into right now?Now write small steps you can take to initiate engagement with this subject.

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Art Journaling Prompt:Use a journal page or spread with Curiosity as your prompt word and Create a Permission Slip for yourself to make room for what you are innately curious about right now. This permission is for time, an open mind, and honoring your preferences! You may want to use images of the subject matter to highlight this Permission Slip giving honor to what is meaningful to you right now.

Doodle Prompt:Using your favorite pens, markers, crayons, pencils or any other doodling implement that suits your fancy and draw what you’re curious about. You can reference the images you may have used in your art journal. Don’t worry about what it looks like. You’re just giving the subject matter the attention it deserves simply because you’re curious about it.

As we summarize this vital step of Curiosity in the 7 Steps to Creative Clarity, I would like to share a word of encouragement and insight concerning the importance of following your Curiosity and giving it the space it deserves to help you in your creative life discoveries:

The Essence of Curiosity brings us back to that feeling we used to get when we were kids, when we knew we were going to do something fun and enjoyable, and we felt the excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.

Let’s recapture that essence by paying close attention to what we are curious about every single day.

It doesn’t have to be BIG. It can be something as simple as walking a different path when you’re out getting some exercise.

Do you ever find yourself saying, I am so curious about that? When you do, do you hesitate to follow that path? Does it feel silly to you?

Don’t hesitate (unless your intuition cautions you): because those curiosity nudges will probably lead you to TRUE JOY. Get that youthful excitement back into your daily life and increase your JOY factor.

Sometimes you may not understand why you’re curious about something. But that’s what makes it so intriguing. And we often discover things about ourselves that we didn’t know before while in the act of engaging.

Giving yourself Permission to follow what initiates Curiosity in you can be a precursor to finding new paths of treasure hunting, self-discovery and enlightenment into Who You Are and why you are present in this Universe right now.

Note: You are welcome to share any discoveries you have made with your Curiosity with the prompts above either below in the comments and/or in our 7 Steps to Creative Clarity private Facebook Group. I would love to hear about it! Your feedback is always welcome.

We have all been given a GIFT in this life and this GIFT can be used to help you pay attention to the life messages you are given every day that show you what makes your heart soar. It is Intuition.

It tells you what you need to know about your creative life and your creative expression; and it gives you that power of knowing that doesn’t come through reason or from what you’ve been taught.

The more you listen to this GIFT we’ve been given, the greater your creative flow will manifest.

The question is, are we listening? Do we recognize that Intuitive Voice or does it get drowned out by other voices or by our misgivings about giving it the attention it deserves?

Below I have provided some **prompts and exercises for your Journaling, Art Journaling and Doodle practice for you to have space to listen to that Intuitive Voice that can give you many clues toward what would be most meaningful and satisfying in your Creative Life.

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.

Journaling Exercises/Prompts

An Intuition List:List times when you have had an intuitive message or “gut” feeling that you followed and what resulted from any action you took. This can apply to both your creative life or any other life dimension that is highly valued to you.

Start with the most recent of intuitive occurrences and don’t leave out what can seem like a small intuitive hit. They all matter.

Do you see any common thread in these occurrences and what do they say about what you value most? What do they tell you about your Creative Life, if relevant?

An Intuition Exercise:For the next three days, note when you sense an intuitive impulse and record what you sense it is saying. Was it a warning? A Direction? A Reminder? An Instruction?

Detail each impulse and include how it made you feel: excited, intimidated, curious, heartened, encouraged?

Record what happened as a result of this intuitive hit whether you followed what it said or didn’t. If you followed it, detail how different you feel about listening and taking action.

(You can either record it when it happens in real time or at the end of the day as an intuitive review of your experience. You can either write it down or take a video of saying what you experienced and how you felt about it.)

If you said yes to your intuition several times in a row, did you notice a heightened awareness of your intuitive voice, your intuitive impulses, intuitive gut feelings?

ASK: “Does my intuition scare me?”Detail what you are afraid of if that answer is yes, both in life in general and in your creative expression.

ASK: “Does my intuition give me confidence?”Detail how you felt differently with that greater sense of confidence in taking action on your intuitive impulses, both in life and in your creative expression.

ASK:“Does my intuition make me feel stronger or weaker?”Detail the difference it makes when you follow your intuitive voice and if it leaves you feeling more vulnerable creatively speaking.

ASK: “Do I feel more aligned when I follow my intuition?”Detail what that alignment feels like if you answered yes to this question. If no, why you believe you struggle with feeling aligned in that intuitive vibe.

When we follow our intuition, it often takes us out of our comfort zone, so this can create the illusion of mis-alignment when we follow it. It’s important for us to recognize the possibility of being uncomfortable with following our intuition and what we can do to get more comfortable and trust those gut feelings when they come, whether in life generally or in our creative expression.

Sometimes we can tap into our intuitive voice and NOT KNOW that’s what it is. But the more you listen, record to keep a track record, the more you’ll get to know it. And when you get to know it, paying attention to gain creative clarity can really open up your creative world in ways you have never experienced before.

Here’s a list of ways you can TAP INTO your CREATIVE INTUITION: A Nudging or Knowing about your creative pathAn Intuitive Session in prayer or meditation as you focus on your creative path (asking a question and getting quiet and listening/watching for color, sound, words, body sensations and actual yes or no answers)Working with a card deck of your choice (See Vein of Gold by Julia Cameron for a spiritual card deck idea)Asking a question or saying a name and then identifying and noting body sensations (tightness versus expansion or anxiety versus excitement) from a Yes or No responseIntuitive Dialogue with an Creative or life issue you speak to in your journal (ask a question and write what comes to mind as you answer and see what insight you gain.)

Art Journaling Prompt:Create a spread that features your most recent intuitive impulse, perhaps one you already detailed in an earlier exercise and honor that moment with images, color, and words that truly detail how you felt about the result of that intuitive action you took courage to follow.

Doodle Prompt: Using Intuition as your word prompt, pay close attention to where you pen, marker, crayon or any other writing implement you choose to use wants to go. Let it freely move in any direction you feel led into on the page. The slower the better, unless you feel moved to move quickly, then go with that as well. This can help you pay even closer attention to how your body feels when you listen and take intuitive action.

As we summarize our time of Intuition in the 7 Steps to Creative Clarity, I would like to share this word of encouragement and insight as you tap into this most valuable gift to initiate the kind of creative life you crave:

When you begin to see, feel and experience the power of paying attention to and following your intuition, you will develop a true sense of personal power, of increased confidence in your decision making skills and in initiating a daily creative life practice that has deepest meaning and purpose for your time in this Universe.

Note: You are welcome to leave a comment below concerning any discoveries you'd like to share from the exercises/prompts for this Intuition Step. You are also welcome to share your experience and discoveries in our 7 Steps to Creative Clarity private Facebook Group.

We deserve Nurture. We deserve to feel nourished. And not just to keep us going physically. It means we are keeping ourselves alive and well—think well being, really touching down deep to our essential selves, fostering a cherishing energy.

This can look like being fond of yourself, really appreciating Who You Are right now without reserve, hesitation or condition.

Our Soul needs nurturing. How we think, how we feel and what we choose needs to be Nurtured.

Nurture directly correlates between our perspective of ourselves and our creative flow. When we're feeling good, nourished and well cared for, our creative expression has a much stronger energy, thereby breaking blocks that may be in the way.

So let's take Nurture by the hand and see what it has to show us!

I trust the following **prompts and exercises for your journaling , art journaling and doodle practice will enable you to dive deep into Nurture and discover some ways to really get it flowing for yourself.

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.​

A LIST Exercise:In your journal, list ways you are already nurturing yourself. Detail how long you’ve been engaging in this activity and if it still hits the spot for you or if you feel like it’s losing its luster.

Now, List ways you WANT to nurture yourself but haven’t. ASK: What’s preventing me from choosing to nurture myself in this new way?

(Is it not a priority? Are you feeling guilt? Do you need resources to get it going?)

Tip: Keep what new thing you want to do to Nurture yourself simple and start small to help make it doable.

ASK: Where do I feel most depleted?

Using this kind of contrast can give us a fresh perspective on what we really need to Nurture ourselves.

ASK: What is my Favorite Way to Nurture Myself and Why?

Mindmap this favorite activity. Write the word in the center of your page and put a circle around it. Then jot down whatever comes to mind around the circle. Words or phrases are key to more strategies to implement.

Then mind map the way you want to Nurture yourself that is NEW for you.

See if there are any similarities between the two activities with the words or phrases that come to mind. This may give you a clue as to what is holding you back from trying that new thing.

A Letter Writing Exercise:Write a Letter to Yourself about why you haven’t nurtured yourself and ask for ways you can nurture yourself that you may not have known you need. This exercise can help you see any underlying issues you may want to address that have held you back and also gain clarity from your “Higher Self” that can give you insight into what you might be needing right now.

Option: You can also use a dialogue approach, asking the question and then writing down the answer that comes to mind. This can be very insightful and eye opening. Don’t discount anything that seems silly or even off subject. You can learn from all of it in some way. Be open to what comes to you.

Art Journaling Prompt: Create a Spread that Showcases Nurture visually for you, whether it's an image that really resonates with your heart, or colors that provide an especially nurturing vibe to you. This spread can be a way to show how much you appreciate yourself. You might even use an image of YOURSELF in this spread and write affirming things about yourself around that image.

Doodle Prompt: Using Nurture as a starting point, take your time as you create gentle, flowing marks, where your heart opens up. Use colored pens or crayons that attract you toward nurture and have free-flowing fun!

Here’s a final tip toward Nurture:Record in your journal an example of Nurture you see in someone else’s activity that you admire and then put your own twist on it. If it truly resonates or seems like a fun or insightful idea, there’s a reason for that. Don’t dismiss it. Instead, investigate and dive in to what really attracts you about it. You may be surprised at what you discover!

As we conclude this Very Important Step of Nurture in our 7 Steps to Creative Clarity Journey, I would like to offer you this word of encouragement and insight that I trust will lift you and move you in the right Nurturing Direction:

Nurture is a gentle, persistant care of all parts of you. It’s taking time, slowing down long enough to really SEE your Self, to Know your Self and what makes you happy. It’s a determination not to “hurry through” taking care of your Self. ​

Recognizing where you resist Nurture can be a good place to see what ONE action will be most effective in initiating that feeling that you truly value yourself, where you are worthy of that kind, gentle, sweet energy of nurture, where you feel treasured, special, precious, loved.

JOY, for me and I presume for you as well, is the precursor to the Truest Refreshment, since it lifts our spirit, opens our energy and leaves us feeling fabulous.

JOY brings pleasure and delight. It’s like LIGHT for our soul. And it lights our most authentic creative path.

So, paying closer attention to what does this for us will inspire us and lead us to that essence of JOY we want more of.

Below, you will find **prompts and exercises for your Journaling, Art Journaling and Doodle practices to help you dive into what brings you JOY and what may surprise you in your JOY journey.

**If there is a prompt/exercise you are not comfortable with, simply go to the next prompt. The purpose is for fun and clarity.

Journaling Prompt: ASK: What brought me JOY today?

A Contrast Exercise:Sometimes the JOY spots (as I like to call them) are not so obvious so we can use a Contrast to bring it to light.

Anything that feels Heavy, Burdensome, or overwhelming is the opposite of what brings us JOY.

Detail in your journal the specifics of any negative issue that feels this way and what creates that feeling, and what you know would make it better.

More of/Less Of Exercise:In your journal, make two lists.One will be for what you want MORE of. This is the perfect place to give yourself permission for more JOY.

The other list will be for what you want LESS of. This list may include things that bring you stress or discomfort and irritability.

As you record each item, tap into your body energy and note how it makes you feel. Does it tighten or lighten?

The ones that lighten you can zero in on in order to determine which one you will take action on immediately to bring more JOY.

The ones that tighten, you can show yourself compassion and validation in your journal, thus releasing into more JOY as a result.

ASK: What am I most excited about?

Remember that JOY precludes what you always want to say yes to.

ASK: Why do I want to say Yes?

What is the essence of that JOY-Inducing experience? What does it say to you and about you?

JOY can be a clue to something you want but haven’t given yourself permission to have or to be. Detail this idea, dream or journey that you want to implement, expand or take and record what may be holding you back.

ASK:What small step can I take that will enable me to grow this idea, dream or start this journey?

A TOP 3 List Exercise:Have some fun and jot down your top 3 JOY initiating items in the following categories (plus you can add any of your own that come to mind):

Food (when you respond with: OMG, I love this stuff!)

Relationships (when this person makes you laugh or inspires you or lifts your energy…)

Colors (aligns you vibrationally and initiates good health and you just feel good around it…)

Have FUN with this exercise and then focus on the one that really grabs you attention and go engage!

Art Journaling Prompt: Using a spread in your art journal, honor what has recently given you JOY, using images, text and color, and create an open space where you can dream and explore your next JOY step.

Doodle Prompt: Use Idea, Dream or Journey as a prompt and make fun marks on the page; you may want to draw spirals, stars or flowers, or any shape that initiates more JOY in the creating. See where it leads!

As we conclude this JOY step in the 7 Steps to Creative Clarity, I would like to leave you with this encouraging word and insight that I trust will get your Creative Flow opening up to all the possibilities that are in your heart just waiting to be manifest:

You will experience the Greatest JOY when you are in complete alignment with Who You Are, with your Destiny, with your Purpose, with your Life-Enhancing Relationships, and when you are fulfilling your Reason for Being.

As you make new discoveries that bring you JOY, make space for them in your daily routine so they become a part of Who You Are. Make them a priority, which you so richly deserve.

I wish for you the greatest of JOY in your daily experience and trust that JOY is the most wonderful of Building Blocks toward Creative Clarity and Creative Daily Expression in your life.

Note: You are welcome to leave a comment below about the discoveries you have made with JOY being a step toward Creative Clarity, about your favorite exercise from the above content, as well as what is bringing you JOY right now! You’re also welcome to share your discoveries in our 7 Steps to Creative Clarity private Facebook Group.